Mae Haad
Mae Haad is Koh Phangan's northwest-coast gem and home to one of the island's most distinctive natural features: a sandbar that connects the beach to tiny Koh Ma island at low tide. When the water retreats, you can walk out along the narrow spit of sand to the island, a few minutes' stroll over pale shallow water with the Gulf stretching out on either side. At higher tides you swim across or rent a kayak. Either way, Koh Ma is the destination: the water around the island holds some of the healthiest and most accessible reef on Phangan, and it's one of the very few spots where you can snorkel seriously straight from the beach without needing a boat.
The area is small and quiet rather than a hub. A handful of relaxed bungalow operations and small resorts line the beach, and there are a few snorkel-gear rental spots and dive operations for those who want to go further out. The sand itself is fine and the bay faces west, so sunsets are unhurried and worth staying for. Because Mae Haad sits on the northwest coast, you're a bit removed from both the party south and the wellness-heavy Sri Thanu stretch — the vibe is easygoing and family-friendly, centred entirely on the water and the Koh Ma walk. It's one of those spots people come back to on their second or third visit once they've already ticked off the famous beaches.
Best for Snorkellers, families and anyone who wants a quiet, scenic northwest-coast base built around the Koh Ma sandbar walk and some of the island's best accessible reef.
5 rated places in Mae Haad.
Hotels & Stays · 1
Tours & Activities · 2
Restaurants · 2
Mae Haad, answered
- What is the Koh Ma sandbar and how do I walk it? +
- Koh Ma is a tiny uninhabited island just off Mae Haad beach, and at low tide a narrow natural sandbar rises between the two so you can walk across — usually a few minutes on foot through ankle-to-knee-deep water. The exact timing depends on the tidal cycle, so check locally when you arrive for the best low-tide window. At higher water, swimming or renting a kayak is the way across.
- Is the snorkelling at Koh Ma any good? +
- It's widely regarded as some of the best accessible snorkelling on Koh Phangan. The reef around Koh Ma is relatively healthy, with reef fish and coral reachable without a boat. The protected water on the east side of the island tends to be calmer and clearer. Conditions depend on the season and recent weather, so snorkel at higher tide when there's more water over the reef, and rent gear from one of the beachside spots if you didn't bring your own.
- Is Mae Haad good for families with young children? +
- Yes. The sandbar walk at low tide is calm, shallow and safe for small children to paddle, the beach is quiet with no nightlife nearby, and the snorkelling is accessible enough that older kids can join in. There are no big resort facilities here, so it's better for families who want a peaceful beach day than for those wanting entertainment and pools.
- How do I get to Mae Haad from the main ferry pier? +
- Mae Haad is on the northwest coast, roughly 25 to 35 minutes by scooter or taxi from Thong Sala. The road runs along the west coast through Hin Kong, Sri Thanu and Haad Yao before reaching Haad Salad and then Mae Haad further north. Haad Salad is the nearest village to the south. A scooter is the easiest way to get around once you're based here.
Guides to plan your stay
Mae Haad, Koh Phangan: The Complete Area Guide
Mae Haad is a quiet northwest-coast bay defined by one remarkable feature: a natural sandbar that surfaces at low tide and lets you walk straight out to the snorkel reef around Koh Ma island. Here is everything you need to know about the beach, the sandbar, where to stay and how to get there.
Practical guide · 7 minDiving & Snorkelling on Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the quiet gateway to Sail Rock, the Gulf of Thailand's best dive site, with a whale-shark pinnacle and a famous swim-through chimney. Here's the dive scene, day trips, PADI courses and the snorkelling spots that are worth your time.
Practical guide · 8 minKoh Phangan with Kids — A Family Guide
Koh Phangan is far more family-friendly than its full-moon reputation suggests. Here's the calm side: shallow swimming beaches, gentle outings, family-suited stays, and the practical safety notes that actually matter with kids in tow.
Beaches around Mae Haad
Mae Haad Beach
4.5★Snorkelling
Mae Haad is a calm, family-friendly beach on Koh Phangan's northwest tip, famous for the natural sandbar that surfaces at low tide and lets you walk out to the Koh Ma islet. Shallow, gentle water makes it great for swimming and snorkelling, and the west-facing aspect delivers reliable sea sunsets.
Beach guide →Koh Ma
4.5★Snorkelling
Koh Ma is a tiny uninhabited islet off Mae Haad on Koh Phangan's northwest tip, reached on foot across a sandbar at low tide. Its fringing reef is the best shore-entry snorkelling on the island — clownfish, parrotfish and live coral in clear, shallow water. Best from December to April.
Beach guide →